Afterwords: May 2026
May at The Inkwell
As you read this, I’ll be away from the desk hosting a writing retreat in a gorgeous farmhouse in the South of France. To say this is a pinch me moment is an understatement. An invitation to teach on a retreat abroad has been on my wish list for many years – yet further proof that if you know what you want and just keep working steadily towards it, you might well get it!
Meanwhile at The Inkwell, I’ve been focused on publishing this month. Specifically my current experience as a published novelist in the query trenches as I try and find a new literary agent. It’s proving… a challenge. If you haven’t read the original post, I urge you to do so now, and then follow it up with this one…
I’ve been busy having conversations behind the scenes with authors and publishing folk across the spectrum, and I’m aiming to write a follow up post with everything I’ve learned about what’s happening in the industry right now and why. Keep an eye out for that – you won’t want to miss it.
I also launched a new thing: The Inkwell Podcast. The concept is simple. You can listen to episodes for free, but paid members of The Inkwell can submit a question — about writing craft, creative blocks, the publishing world, or anything else that’s on your mind. I pick one and spend a few minutes talking through my response. Think short episodes and focused advice – writing coaching delivered to your inbox. Read more about it here and find it on your usual podcast apps.
Coffee & Co-writing continues to be an oasis of writerly inspiration each week. I’m so pleased with how it’s going. The community we’re building here is so kind, generous and supportive and it’s quickly becoming my personal mid-week writing boost. Why not join us?
Coming up at The Inkwell Live
Coffee & Co-writing is now weekly. Join us every Wednesday 1pm-2.30pm UK time for an hour of writing and 30 minutes of writerly chat. Take a good serving of progress, add a dash of accountability, and top with a sprinkling of community!
A couple of things to note:
I’m working away for a couple of weeks so…
On Wednesday 3 June, Coffee & Co-writing will be hosted by Fiona Mountain.
On Wednesday 10 June, Coffee & Co-writing will be hosted by Natalie Adam-Perrin.
Fiona and Natalie are both writers and long-time members of The Inkwell and I know you’ll be in safe hands!
Keep up to date and add future sessions to your calendar here:
https://katherineclements.substack.com/p/calendar
April in Pictures
From the Inkwell Community
A book launch
A big shout out to Inkwell subscriber Carrie Hayes whose new book The Making of Marigold McGrath just came out. The book is a coming of age story set in WWII London and it’s already clocking up some great reviews. Carrie and I worked together on this book in its earliest form, so it’s truly wonderful – and inspiring – to see it out in the world. I will never get bored of watching my clients’ successes.
Carrie said: When I started working with Katherine, I had just begun writing a new novel. At the time, the research, ideas and wrestling with the narrative felt so unwieldy that I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. Katherine very gently helped me to zero in on what should go where, how much I could accomplish and at what speed.
We discussed everything from the evolution of the characters’ journey to how they could most effectively push the narrative forward. Katherine’s guidance and coaching empowered me to write my novel with more confidence and more effectively than I could ever have done without her.
A competition listing
Congratulations are due also to Inkwell member Elaine R. Frieman – her novel has been long-listed for the Mslexia Unpublished Novel Award! I have a soft spot for this particular competition as I was long-listed back in 2012, its inaugural year, and it marked a turning point in my writing career. Elaine has been very generous sharing her writing and submissions experience over on her Substack, so go check it out. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for her! 🤞
A podcast launch
As if one podcast isn’t enough, here’s another brilliantly helpful offering from Inkwell subscriber, and co-founder of bestselling Substack, Breakthroughs & Blocks, Bec Evans.
Here’s the concept: When a writer tells you how to get the work done, they’re telling you what works for them. That’s useful. But it might be completely wrong for you. So we test it. This Might Work is a podcast about creative experiments. In each episode, host Bec Evans takes one idea from a writer, artist or thinker - something practical, surprising or slightly unconventional - and puts it to the test with a real writer, working on a real project.
What a great idea! Find it here: https://shows.acast.com/this-might-work
What a multi-talented bunch you all are! Don’t forget – if you’ve got writing wins you’d like to share in next month’s roundup do drop me a line. Big or small - every win should be acknowledged and celebrated, and it’s a great way to practice building your visibility muscle!
Not a member of The Inkwell yet? Join us here
One last thing…
Are you going to the Women’s Prize Live festival in London on 10th June? I’ll be there – if you spot me, please come say hi!
Till next time, happy writing…
P.S. Looking for help with your writing?
I’m almost fully booked until September, but there are two spots up for grabs starting late June/July. If you’d like to make big progress on your writing this year, you need to read this.
Congrats to you too, Elaine! And Katherine, we are all rooting for that agent to appear!!!!!!
And I have everything crossed for you for a new agent. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻😘